EOSINOPHIL GRANULE MAJOR BASIC-PROTEIN INHIBITION OF CORNEAL EPITHELIAL WOUND-HEALING

Purpose. Human eosinophil major basic protein (MBP) was studied in an established organ culture model for rat corneal epithelial wound heali ng to elucidate further the role of the protein in vernal keratopathy. Methods. Epithelial migration rates were tested for five MBP concentr ations (10, 25, 50, 100, and 200 mu g/ml MBP). Results. Significantly less epithelial migration than control (P < 0.05) was observed in all tested groups. Histologic examination revealed abnormally heaped-up le ading epithelial edges in all test groups compared to the normal taper ed edges in all controls. Immunofluorescence disclosed MBP deposition on deepithelialized cornea. Conclusions. These results suggest that MB P may contribute to vernal corneal ulcerations by inhibiting corneal e pithelial migration.